Folding table



Dec. 23, 1942- F. B., BIESZKI FOLDING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1943 w a m a 1 5 M a Y% r B Dec.23,1947.

IIIII/llllll! Filed July 9, 1943 F. B. BlESZKl FOLDING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Frank B.Bz'eszlill" ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to foldab-le tables, and its general object is to provide a table that is foldable in compact form to not only take up minimum space in storage, but to render the same readily portable, in that when the table is folded, it is substantially in the form of a suitcase and includes a handle to facilitate carrying the same from place to place.

A further object is to provide a foldable table that includes a flanged sectional top, detachable legs and detachable braces for the legs, the sections of the top being hinged to each other for disposal in alignment when in set up position to provide a relatively great top area, and the braces not only act as such for the legs, but aid in holding the table in set up position against any possibility of casual folding or Collapsing.

Another object is to provide a foldable table in which the flanged top when folded, provides a case for housing the detachable parts of the table and the top is provided with latching means for holding the table in folded position.

A further object is to provide a foldable table that can be assembled and disassembled in an easy and expeditious manner, without the use of tools, and the table is simple in construction, strong and sturdy, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely efficient in use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 1s a side elevation of the table which forms the subject matter of the present invention, in set up position.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the table in set up position.

Figure 4 is an end view, with parts broken away to illustrate the association of the braces relative to the top structure.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the table in folded position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that the table shown includes a top structure that is made up of a pair of identical sections I and 2 respectively. Each section is formed with or has otherwise suitably secured thereto a marginal flange disposed at right angles to the flat body of its section, and the flanges include inner and outer end portions 3 and side portions 4. The inner end portions 3 have a strip hinge 5 secured to and countersunk in the narrow inner faces thereof for securing the sections together to be folded, in a manner whereby the flanges are disposed in edge to edge relation to provide a case, as shown in Figure 5, and the strip hinge is of a length substantially coextensive with that of the inner flange portions, as best shown in Figure 2.

The sections are secured together in folded position by p type latches, the loop members 6 thereof being secured to the side and outer end portions of the flange of one section, while the keeper members 1 are secured to the corresponding portions of the flanges of the other section, in the path of the loop members for receiving the same. A pivoted bail type handle 8 is secured to the outer end portion of the flange of one section to facilitate carrying the table when in folded position, and protecting corner cups 9 are secured to the outer corners of the sections. Headed studs or buttons til may be secured to the outer faces of the flanges as well as to the outer faces of the bodies of the sections, to prevent the table from becoming scratched or otherwise damaged when in folded position.

Engaged with the inner or under face of the body of each section and bridging and secured to the side portions 4 of the flanges by right angle fastening brackets H is an outer cross bar 12 disposed adjacent to the outer end portion 3, and an inner flat cross bar I 3 bridges the side portion 4 in engagement with the inner end portion 3 of the flange, as best shown in Figure 2. The inner cross bars are likewise secured to the portions 4 by right angle brackets I4. The flange portions are reinforced at the corners thereof by right angle fastening brackets l5.

Detachably secured to each of the bars l2 for disposal in diverging relation therefrom is a pair of flat legs l6, and for that purpose, each leg has secured thereto a hinge leaf l1, and companion leaves I8 are secured to the cross bars [2. The leaves are formed with barrels and the barrels of companion leaves are disposed in registration with each other, as will be apparent. Removably mounted in the registering barrels are headed pins l9. By that construction, it will be obvious that the legs can be readily removed and applied with respect to the cross bars H. The legs of each pair have upper and lower cross members secured to and bridging the same, and the upper ends of the legs, as well as the upper longitudinal edges of the cross members 20 are beveled to bear against the under faces of'the cross bars l2, so that the 'pairs of legs will be arranged at an outward inclination with respect to each other, or in other words in diverging relation, when the table is in set up position, as best shown in Figure 3.

A brace 2| is provided for each pair of legs, and the braces have their lower ends detachably secured to the lower cross members 20 midway the ends thereof, by hinge members 22, there being a pair of binge members for each brace, with the leaves thereof disposed and secured to the brace upon the opposite sides thereof, as best shown in Figure 2. The other leaves of the hinge members 22 are secured to the lower cross members 20 and removable headed pins 23 are provided for the hinge members 22. p

The upper ends of the braces 21 are cut toflt the under faces of the cross bars l3 and the outer faces of the inner end portions 3 of the flanges, as best shown in Figure 3, and the upper ends are mounted between the parallel portions 24 of right angle brackets 25 that are fixed to the cross bars l3, as clearly shown in Figure 4. The braces are held in place by a pair of clamping members 26 disposed upon the opposite sides thereof and fixed thereto by wing nut and bolt connections 21. The clamping member-s 26 have their ends cut at an angle for disposal flush with the upper longitudinal edges of the braces and the clamping members have their upper edges recessed or notched as at 28 midway the ends thereof for receiving the hinged portions of the flanges, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figures 1 and 3.

Wing bolt and nut connections 29 are preferably provided for fixing the inner end portions 3 of the flanges together when the table is in set up position, in order to prevent any possibility of casual folding or collapsing of the sections, as well as to hold the sections in perfect alignment with each other.

From the above description and disclosure in the drawing, it will be obvious that my table can be assembled and disassembled in an easy and expeditious manner, and that the leg structure, braces 2i and clamping members are mounted within the case provided by the sections l and 2 of the top structure, when the sections are folded, as shown in Figure 5.

It is thought from the foregoing description 4 that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that suchchanges fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A table including two hinged top sections having continuous border flanges depending from the edges of each section and a pair of cross member coupled legs hinged beneath each top section, the top sections being foldable one upon the other to place the edges of the border flanges in abuttingrelation, and a knockdown brace structure for sustaining the table in setup state, said brace i structure comprising a pair of oppositely and upwardly inclined brace members having their outer lower ends bracketed centrally of the cross members of said cross member coupled legs and their inner upper ends abutted against the inner sides of the abutted border flanges at the transverse center of the extended table top, spaced angled members secured to the under side of each top section to prevent lateral displacement of the upper ends of the brace members abutted against the abutted border flanges, the inner upper end of each upwardly inclined base member being engaged between said spaced angled members, said brace members adapted to be removed from engagement between said angled members and clamp members disposed at opposite sides of the inner upper ends of the brace members and bolted thereto.

FRANK B. BIESZKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

